I am proud to have been re-elected to represent you as your Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

I have lived in this area all my life, I went to school here and I was a director of the family business, Mountstevens Bakeries, for more than 20 years. At its peak, we had 93 shops and employed more than 1,300 people. I have been a magistrate in Bristol for 15 years, chairing the bench on adult, youth and family cases.

I was an independent member of Avon and Somerset Police Authority for two years and vice chair of the Independent Monitoring Board at Bristol Prison for four years.

I thoroughly understand the criminal justice system. During my time on the Police Authority, I learnt how to challenge and question aspects of policing, but obviously to listen.

This blog will be partly about my diary and the things I have coming up as well as my own views on things that might be happening in the area or in the policing and criminal justice landscape. It will also include blogs from other people maybe members of my team or partner organisations we work with on subjects that are topical or relate to policing and crime.

I cannot promise that it will get updated every week and if I haven’t posted anything for a while then you will know that it’s been an extra busy time but I will still be listening.

I joined the Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) team approximately four and a half years ago. I wanted the experience of working in a law environment, whilst taking a masters level qualification at university.

Guest Blog: Joanne Bocko, Cyber Protect Officer. The internet has changed the way we communicate. The addition of computers into our lives has given many of us the confidence to make connections with old friends, seek out new friends and even romance. However it can be difficult online to know whether the person you're speaking to is who they say they are.

﻿6th February is a significant date in the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) calendar. The date when those involved in this work across the globe join together to reaffirm our commitment to end this practice and allow women and girls to live free from the immeasurable physical and psychological harm caused by 'the cut.'

Sue's News: This week I was fortunate enough to attend Bristol City Council's Stepping Up Graduation. The programme is aimed at improving the representation of BAME people, disabled people and women in senior leadership roles within Bristol and the wider region

Just before Christmas the Government surprised us all by giving Police and Crime Commissioner's the power to raise the policing part of the council by £2 a month rather than £1 a month (for the average band D household).

Within my role as Neighbourhood Inspector on Bristol East, I have the privilege to be part of a special team where a PCSO could be helping a stranger rebuild their life, a Beat Manager might be dealing with a crisis and, at times, everyone can be responding to danger.